Opening Moves (The Red Gambit Series) (15 page)

Stalin spoke out again, this time addressing his comments directly at Zhukov.

“We are concerned about the assets you are committing to plan Kurgan. As you say Comrade Marshall, this is a key part of the overall mission and must not fail. Why do we not employ more troops in the first mission?”

“That is a simple matter of transport capability, Comrade General Secretary. We do not have the capacity to take more than the numbers presently committed. We have set aside 10% of our transport aircraft to allow for breakdown and other problems. It would not be advisable to eat into that safety margin”

“I see. And we cannot obtain more capacity in time?”

Marshall Novikov raised his hand at this point and was immediately noticed as Stalin gestured to him to speak.

“Comrade General Secretary, I believe we can supply additional capacity if we transfer units from our maskirova operation in the East. In my estimation that would permit an increase in carrying capacity of around 30% to 35% whilst maintaining the 10% cushion required by Comrade Marshall Zhukov.” Vasilevsky remained impassive as his own operational plan, Diaspora, was partially dismantled by others.

“I can work on that and get more precise figures.”

Maskirova, the act of deception, is a sacred and necessary thing for the Russian psyche and to lessen it or remove assets from it is rarely well received. In this case, Novikov was offering a solution to the shortfalls of plan Kurgan that could not be ignored for a 30% increase in capacity. It was clear that the Air Force Marshall had more to say so he was given the floor again, although Zhukov and a number of others were wondering why the Air Force hadn’t spoken about this before.

‘Perhaps to ensure the GKO was given every opportunity to appreciate the Air Force’s role as well as the Army?’

Zhukov dismissed the thought immediately, as Novikov was a professional. Anyway, he had offered an excellent solution to the problem and there was more to come.

“In addition, if plan Diaspora is initiated without the airborne element for the first week then I anticipate an additional 20% increase in capacity for Kurgan, that is to say a total of 50%. Once that is completed, we will have no need for our resources to be stationed in Europe in such large numbers and they could be transferred back to Diaspora in suitable numbers to make up the shortfall within approximately eight days of release.”

Stalin was actually quite impressed and clapped his hands three times.

“This is a good plan Comrade Novikov. If Comrade Vasilevsky has no objections then Comrade Zhukov will recalculate using your suggestions and upgrade plan Kingdom39.”

Vasilevsky paused to gather his thoughts before speaking and in so doing lost the opportunity.

“Comrade?” enquired Stalin.

Beria obviously had something to say.

“I can confirm that my own staff’s calculations indicate a definite 35% minimum increase in capacity if the assets are transferred as indicated by Comrade Marshall Novikov. More to the point, he is too modest to say that if the forces from Diaspora are also employed there is a 50% increase in capacity. It will be much nearer a total of 60% overall. The eight day catch-up period is wholly accurate.”

Novikov nodded impassively as Beria managed to illustrate that Novikov’s staff was thoroughly penetrated by NKVD spies and that everything the Marshall had said was already known to the men in front of him. Such were the games that great men played. He exchanged a knowing look with both Zhukov and Vasilevsky, who could offer no consolation save inner understanding.

Admiral of the Fleet Hovhannes Stepani Isakov stepped forward.

“Might I also suggest that some of the assaults planned within Kurgan can be carried out equally well by naval units delivering troops or marines, as some locations lie close to shorelines, particularly in Northern Germany, Denmark and Italy.”

Yet more unexpected assistance, this time from the Navy. Such assistance had not been available when it was first enquired about so something had obviously changed. Zhukov mentally played with the new possibilities.

“We have surmised that we can free up approximately 3%-5% of the transports on the night of Kingdom.”

On that assurance Beria was strangely ill informed, merely surmising that the Admiral’s stated figures were about right. Beria would speak with Rear-Admiral Batuzov later and enquire why that piece of information had not come to him in the last report.

Others in the room envied Isakov for his obvious lack of an NKVD informant on his staff. Isakov impassively listened as Beria tried to sound prepared and was the only one there who knew he had not planned it and just thrown it in on the spur of the moment so as to be seen to contribute. Mentally he had quickly checked off what was possible and that he had not claimed too much. It would work.

“Excellent again Comrade Admiral. At each turn we find solutions.”

“Comrade Marshall Zhukov will look at the new capacity and revise plans for Kurgan to ensure full success. Both Air Force and Navy will liaise with Marshall’s Zhukov and Vasilevsky to establish the effect of these new suggestions.”

“Now, before we proceed with briefing for Plan Diaspora, remove all of this,” Stalin cast an expansive arm gesture at the paraphernalia of Kingdom39, “So that we may include our guests.”

The documents and maps disappeared in record time. Stalin exchanged subtle nods with Beria, who picked up the phone.

“Show our guests in.”

The gilded doors swung open and in strode the diminutive figure of General Michitake Yamaoka, respectfully tailed by the larger Vice-Admiral Kenji Asegawa.

Beria was discretely handed a folder containing two messages by the escorting NKVD General. Marshall Vasilevsky made the introductions, introductions accompanied each time by deep bows from the Japanese Attaché’s. Only one present noticed Beria’s subtle reaction as he read what he had been passed.

“So, now we can proceed.” Stalin’s irritation with the Japanese time wasting was hidden, but only just.

“Comrade Marshall Vasilevsky?”

Vasilevsky proceeded to talk through the planning for the Far East operations, adjusting as best he could for the absence of airlift capacity now dedicated to Kingdom39. Yamaoka and Asegawa both noticed the differences from the figures they had been expecting but decided now was not the time to discuss where the capacity had gone. That the Soviets were going to move in Europe was known and it was not surprising that they did not wish to share the operational details with their new allies as yet.

Surprisingly, Vasilevsky and his staff had found that the original concept and outline by Beria was actually quite sound in reasoning, and certainly achievable. Professionalism required that they improve upon it, and they did that exceptionally well. Nodding assent from politicians was commonplace but the inclination of the head and nod that he received from an impressed Zhukov was welcome professional acknowledgement that the plan he laid before the GKO was indeed excellent.

“The support received from the Imperial Army has been superb, and the details of this plan have been worked out in complete consultation with General Yamaoka. If this is approved by the GKO, the planning document will be taken to Manchuria where General Yamaoka and Admiral Asegawa will present it for ratification. I have ordered Comrade General Savvushkin to accompany them with his staff.”

“Might I also say that Admiral Asegawa suggested the bold naval plan in partnership with Comrade Admiral Yumashev.”

Asegawa bowed deeply to the GKO and Stalin motioned to his NKVD chairman. Beria spoke directly to the Japanese Military Attaché.

“We would welcome your views on this plan General.”

More bows and Yamaoka stepped forward.

The painfully small general was never a man to waste words and so, instead of the lengthy appraisal the room was expecting, he spoke but two sentences.

“General Secretary, it has been an honour to be fortunate enough to consult closely with Marshall Vasilevsky and his staff during the planning, and I have been completely impressed with their professionalism and daring. This plan is wholly acceptable to me and I will commend its adoption, without alteration, to the Imperial High Command.”

The deepest of bows both terminated his statement and took everyone by surprise.

“Thank you General,” Beria, slightly thrown, suddenly found himself speaking well before his imagined time, “Then there remains one matter to establish, and that is the moment of execution. Comrade General Secretary?”

Stalin rose once more.

“Indeed Comrade Chairman. We have exhausted this for now Comrades, and we must congratulate all our Comrades who have laboured to provide us with the means to achieve our Motherland’s goals.”

Stalin tamped his pipe and drew heavily, puffing out thick smoke, which almost seemed to target the two Japanese officers.

“And so, when do we anticipate commencing?”

As was his habit, he looked around the GKO members for assent with what came next. The normal set of compliant nods was given, although they did at least know what Stalin was going to say this time.

“The new arrangements for Kurgan must be factored in, and quickly done. The effect of change upon Diaspora must also be reflected and changes made. In both cases, you are authorised to immediately commence the movements necessary to get forces in place in line with all the plans submitted. This has absolute priority and all your efforts should be directed into preparation. You should prepare to execute both plans from the 3rd August. Please return to your respective headquarters Comrades”

There were no groans, no sounds of dismay, nothing.

Nevertheless, each senior officer present inwardly sank at the timescale forced upon them, none more so than Isakov, who had recently made a claim that he did not know if he could back up.

Vasilevsky who, as yet, had not worked out the effect of loss of transport aircraft on his plans, was silent but in despair.

Zhukov, as ever, took the bull by the horns.

“We will be ready, Comrade General Secretary.”

“Yes you will Comrade Marshall.”

1545 hrs, Monday, 2nd July 1945, The Kremlin, Moscow, USSR.

The military men had all gone, the GKO had gone its separate ways and that left Bulganin and Beria accompanying Stalin at his request, taking a slow walk back to the General Secretary’s office.

Once inside, tea was brought in and the men discussed the course of the day. The joint opinion was that it had gone well.

However, there was one matter that irked Stalin.

“Comrade Chairman, your messages. It is rare that news has such an effect upon you and I assume you have something to share?”

Stalin had not missed Beria’s earlier discomfort after all.

“Yes Comrade General Secretary. More agent messages from Manhattan.”

Beria passed one over without another word and waited for the storm.

‘
[priority code] DDX

[agent] Gamayun

[date code] 260645d

[personal code as an authenticator] EX644007XE

[distribution1] route x-eyes only

[distribution1] AalphaA [Comrade Chairman Beria].

[message] Wellington. Weapon test 1607, strength A+ Confirmation type1. Diagram of bomb fat man en route via Tiger soonest. Load-Eels.

[message ends]

Message authenticates. Codes for non-compromisation valid.